The past week continued to confirm a set of hypotheses that we had on the general landscape of the conference, with first and foremost that the top of this league is absurdly elite this season and the space between the top four teams and the middle of the conference is looking rather stark.

After back-to-back losses, Iowa State returned to their dominant ways and on the road, easily stayed ahead of an Oklahoma State that was desperate to get a Quad 1 win to save its season. The Cyclones built a 30-point lead that dwindled due to complacency, but the game was ultimately within three possessions for one minute in the second half.

UCF has proven throughout this conference season that they are a real threat to the teams just above them in the conference. Beating Kansas and suffering just one loss to a team outside of the top 4 of the league (Oklahoma State). But the difference between Iowa State, Arizona, Houston and Texas Tech and everyone else has been a visceral separation through the first 7-8 games of league play. Here are some trends that speak to the boldened divisions in conference play.

Kansas and BYU headed in different directions in the second tier

Two teams with different paths to their 5-2 records in conference play, how you feel about the Kansas Jayhawks and BYU Cougars feels a bit like a Rorschach test for the best of the “untouchables” of the Big 12. Kansas suffered two losses on the road to UCF and West Virginia in the first three games of their conference slate. Meanwhile, BYU looked like a challenger to enter the company, with the top four teams over their first four games of the season, before losing to Texas Tech and Arizona in the last two weeks.

The two teams play this Saturday, and it will be another opportunity for the Jayhawks to build towards a resume that warrants protected seed consideration by the committee and a chance for the Cougars to stop the bleeding against higher-level competition and confirm that their stars are good enough to bring their team to the levels of the top 12 teams in the country.

BYU did find a way to get back into their game against Arizona in Provo, but throughout that matchup and their trip to Lubbock to face Texas Tech there were clear limitations to their philosophy of stars and supporting pieces. Against teams with commensurate talent, AJ Dybantsa and Robert Wright’s efficiency hit a wall consistency-wise as they're asked to do more and more.

For Kansas, their win against an admittedly beleaguered Kansas State without Darryn Peterson in a gym they hadn’t won in for three straight years shows that this team has a ceiling Bill Self and his staff haven’t gotten to since their national championship run.

Kansas has held opponents to 30% shooting in the midrange, the lowest percentage in the country. If they are able to hold their stalwart defense (also the lowest opponent 2-point shooting percentage in the Big 12) against the NBA-level talent BYU’s stars showcase, this team warrants consideration for a team that can go deep in March. That becomes a lot easier if Peterson is able to rejoin and provide his high-usage, efficient offense on a consistent basis.

Houston and Texas Tech highlighted how strong the top is

The Coogs and Red Raiders’ game last weekend showcased the heights this league has reached. 

For Texas Tech, JT Toppin was dominant inside as a player who has showcased national player of the year level dominance, posting 31 points and 12 rebounds (his 13th double-double of the season). Alongside Christian Anderson, the supporting backcourt and wings of Jaylen Petty and Donovan Atwell provided elite shotmaking that highlights a team far beyond two pieces.

For Houston, the game showcased that they have multiple backcourt pieces to highlight alongside their interior defense. Freshman phenom Kingston Flemings erupted for 42 points, carrying the load of the offense, driving, mid-range pull-ups, and deep range, while showing poise that will be massive in March. Emanuel Sharp added around 20 points with tough shot-making, helping Houston erase deficits and briefly take the lead midway through the second half. The Cougars' second-half surge demonstrated their trademark toughness, refusing to fold despite trailing at halftime and facing a raucous crowd plus Texas Tech's timely runs.

The game's pace was fast but controlled, with both teams trading haymakers as the game wound down. In a conference loaded with teams vying for protected seedlines, it highlighted that the upper echelons of teams possess talent and cohesion that few teams in the nation can match.

Arizona’s floor is just better than your team’s ceiling

Arizona, in their win over BYU, showcased dominance and a collective approach that makes it seemingly impossible for a down game by a unit to result in vulnerability in march. The Wildcats built a lead out of the gates with exceptional two-point shotmaking and defensive consistency. They maintained their high offensive efficiency while limiting BYU to just 31 points at the half and controlling the tempo against a BYU team known for its offensive firepower. Notably, the backcourt dominance of senior guards Jaden Bradley and Brayden Burries shows that this team has so many ways to handle and beat opponents.

Arizona's defense was suffocating for much of the night, forcing turnovers, constantly contesting shots, and rebounding aggressively to fuel their attack. Even as BYU mounted a furious comeback, erupting for 52 second-half points, cutting the deficit to one point in the closing moments, Arizona refused to crack. This resilience on the road against a top-15 team in a sold-out, raucous arena (over 18,000 fans) underscored their maturity and mental toughness—qualities that separate elite national-title contenders from good teams.

In a conference as deep and physical as the Big 12, Arizona's performance against BYU wasn't just a win on the road; it was a statement of dominance from the interior, where winning was inevitable despite just four made threes on 12 attempts.

Games to watch

  • BYU at Kansas, Saturday, 5:30 pm ET, ESPN
  • Kansas at Texas Tech, Monday, 9 pm ET, ESPN
  • UCF at Houston, Wednesday, 7 pm ET, FS1